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English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

The English for Academic Purposes program is the most academically challenging program offered at RCIIS. The main purpose of the EAP program is to provide students with the skills necessary to succeed in the demanding Canadian post-secondary environment. Students will be able to critically analyze complex material, formulate independent thinking, and express themselves logically and fluently, in both oral and written form.

Entry level: Upper Intermediate - IELTS Equivalency 5.5
Exit level: Advanced - IELTS Equivalency 6.5

Highlights

• Provides you with the necessary skills to be successful in the Canadian post-secondary environment.
• You will develop analytical and critical thinking skills and organize your ideas in a clear and concise manner.
• This course will teach you how to formulate various types of essays and avoid plagiarism.
• You will be able to engage in interesting topics while expanding your academic vocabulary.
• You will learn research and presentation skills that will allow you to succeed in your future studies and career.
• Upon completing this program you will be able to attend college or university programs with any of our pathway partners.

Timetable

Class Outcomes

At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand unfamiliar words based on context
• Use linking words and structures effectively
• Recognize typical sentence patterns for definition
• Use stress and intonation to enhance meaning
• Understand how authors introduce examples and support in academic texts
• Present opinions by conceding and refuting
• Listen to identify biased strategies (speaker’s purpose)
• Recognize the difference between formal and informal language
• Produce a compare and contrast essay of 2-3 pages
• Adopt an objective perspective in writing
• Identify word patterns and phrases which show cause and effect
• Write cause and effect essays that includes paraphrases
• Research, prepare, and participate in informal and formal debates
• Integrate summaries into persuasive essays
• Use pros and cons to build sound arguments
• Paraphrase effectively in academic writing
• Cite and reference effectively in order to avoid plagiarism

Researching skills

The contemporary student has an unparalleled level of information accessibility. Despite this overabundance of information, students often have difficulty differentiating between information presented in an uncritical manner. Students will learn not only how to harness pertinent information, but to critically examine information in a manner consistent with set academic objectives.

Essay writing skills

The proliferation of technology in the modern era has engendered students with a knowledge and application void concerning essay writing. Students will learn the various types of essays, along with proper essay structuring, and salient vocabulary. Through regular writing assignments, students will apply what they have learned and receive individualized feedback to further enhance their academic writing skills.


Presentation and public speaking skills

Students across the globe often struggle with effective oral communication, particularly in front of an audience. This can be particularly daunting for second language learners.

Students will learn effective strategies and techniques for public speaking and be given a multitude of opportunities to hone these skills. Students will engage in individual and group oral presentations, debates, and class discussions.

Time management and organizational skills

Through the assignment of regular projects and essays, students will learn to manage their time effectively. Students will be given daily and weekly assignments and must adhere to strict deadlines. Students will learn to organize their time for reading, writing, and studying, both inside and outside the classroom. Students will learn and practice important strategies for time management.

Efficient studying skills

Students will learn how to study more effectively and gain insight into the examination and test taking process. In addition, instruction will be given with regards to the academic and workload expectations of students attending a Canadian college/university. Students will gain insight into what Canadian post-secondary institutions tend to look for, and acquire the necessary strategies to accommodate different performance-evaluation situations.

Media literacy skills

Media literacy is one of the most vital skills an individual can acquire, particularly with the increasing potency of the internet and social media. Students will learn to evaluate, analyze, and examine various media formats in order to recognize core messages and understand the impact of biases through a number of different media formats.

Life skills

Students will learn how to look inward and perform a self-evaluation, examine their own strengths and weaknesses, strategies to overcome weaknesses, fully understand the notion of education as a lifelong endeavour, appreciate and abide by punctual expectations.

Delivery Methods

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Evaluation

Evaluations are conducted on a weekly basis and range from written assignments, presentations and exams.
The course evaluation is weighted towards writing assignments and presentations, while also promoting active participation and attendance.

• Attendance / Participation: 10%
• Writing Assignments (in class: 20%
• Writing Assignments (outside of class: 20%
• Presentations (in class: 20%.
• Presentations (outside of class: 20%
• Final Exam: 10%


IMPORTANT: Some pathway partners have higher passing requirements (75% or 80%), or a minimum study duration of 12 weeks.

Please check your student portal for the most up to date information.

Attendance Policy

EAP has a minimum duration of 8 weeks with a study schedule of 25 hours per week.

To successfully complete EAP, an overall score of 70% is required. Additionally, students must achieve an overall IELTS equivalency of 6.5 on their exams with no individual category lower than 6.0.

Students missing more than 3 days per session will not be eligible for certification. 3 lates = 1 absence.

Materials

Leap 3 (New Edition): Listening and Speaking, Dr. Ken Beatty (Pearson).
Leap 3 (New Edition): Reading and Writing, Dr. Ken Beatty (Pearson).

In order to fully engage with the course material and participate in assignments, discussions, and activities, all students must purchase the required textbooks within the first three (3) days of class.